US8409014B2 - Wagering game system with shared outcome determined by a gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/920,315, filed Nov. 13, 2007, and titled “Wagering Game System With Shared Outcome Determined By A Gaming Machine,” now allowed, which is a U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/US2006/018045, filed May 9, 2006, and titled “Wagering Game System With Shared Outcome Determined By A Gaming Machine,” which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/682,050 filed May 19, 2005, and titled “Wagering Game System With Shared Outcome Determined By A Gaming Machine,” each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming system having a gaming machine for determining a community-event outcome that is shared with other gaming machines of the gaming system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.

One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with “progressive jackpot” awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.

To provide randomly generated numbers related to the bonus game, some current bonus games use a random number generator that is included in a server of the bonus game. One problem associated with this type of server is that the server is categorized as a gaming machine and, therefore, it is required to meet numerous gaming regulations typically associated with a gaming machine. For example, this type of server is generally required to pass criteria related to randomness, fairness, and/or tampering. Thus, a need exists for a wagering game system with a bonus game, or community event, having a shared outcome that is determined by a gaming machine. The present invention is directed to satisfying this need and to solving other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines that are eligible to play a community event includes determining a randomly selected community-event outcome within a first one of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes transmitting the outcome to the plurality of gaming machines participating in the community event. The community event is conducted at participating ones of the plurality of gaming machines in accordance with the community-event outcome.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game having a community event includes providing a plurality of linked gaming machines for playing the community event. The method further includes initiating a session of the community event in which at least one of the plurality of linked gaming machines participate, and determining an outcome for the community event at one of the plurality of linked gaming machines. In addition, the method also includes sharing the outcome with at least one of the plurality of linked gaming machines.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable storage medium or media is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming device to perform the above methods.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a gaming system for playing wagering games that allow a player to be eligible for a community event includes a first gaming machine, a second gaming machine, and a third gaming machine of a plurality of linked gaming machines. The first gaming machine sends triggering information to other ones of the plurality of gaming machines. The triggering information is related to a randomly selected community-event triggering outcome. The second gaming machine plays the community event in response to receiving the triggering information. The third gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome, which is shared with at least the second gaming machine at which the community event is being played.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines for playing a community event of a wagering game. Any one of the plurality of linked gaming machines dictates a randomly selected outcome of the community event. The outcome is shared with at least another one of the plurality of linked gaming machines at which the community event is being played.

Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a representation of a gaming system for conducting a community event, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic of a community-event process, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a gaming system for conducting a community event, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring toFIG. 1, agaming machine10 is used in gaming establishments such as casinos. With regard to the present invention, thegaming machine10 may be any type of gaming machine and may have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, thegaming machine10 may be an electromechanical gaming machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.

Thegaming machine10 comprises ahousing12 and includes input devices, including avalue input device18 and aplayer input device24. For output thegaming machine10 includes a primary display14 for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display14 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. Thegaming machine10 may also include asecondary display16 for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in thegaming machine10 are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of agaming machine10.

Thevalue input device18 may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of thehousing12. Thevalue input device18 receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. Thevalue input device18 may include acoin acceptor20 for receiving coin currency (seeFIG. 1). Alternatively, or in addition, thevalue input device18 may include abill acceptor22 for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, thevalue input device18 may include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to thegaming machine10.

Theplayer input device24 comprises a plurality ofpush buttons26 on a button panel for operating thegaming machine10. In addition, or alternatively, theplayer input device24 may comprise a touch screen28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display14 and/orsecondary display16. The touch screen28 contains soft touch keys30 denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display14 and used to operate thegaming machine10. The touch screen28 provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen28 at an appropriate touch key30 or by pressing anappropriate push button26 on the button panel. The touch keys30 may be used to implement the same functions aspush buttons26. Alternatively, thepush buttons26 may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game.

The various components of thegaming machine10 may be connected directly to, or contained within, thehousing12, as seen inFIG. 1, or may be located outboard of thehousing12 and connected to thehousing12 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. Thus, thegaming machine10 comprises these components whether housed in thehousing12, or outboard of thehousing12 and connected remotely.

The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display14. The primary display14 can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display14 may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in thegaming machine10. As shown, the primary display14 includes the touch screen28 overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display14 of thegaming machine10 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association to at least onepayline32. In the illustrated embodiment, thegaming machine10 is an “upright” version in which the primary display14 is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of thegaming machine10.

A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via thevalue input device18 of thegaming machine10. A player can select play by using theplayer input device24, via thebuttons26 or the touch screen keys30. The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least onepayline32 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.

In some embodiments, thegaming machine10 may also include aplayer information reader52 that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. Theplayer information reader52 is shown inFIG. 1 as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. Currently, identification is generally used by casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment's loyalty club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her card into theplayer information reader52, which allows the casino's computers to register that player's wagering at thegaming machine10. Thegaming machine10 may use thesecondary display16 or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, theinformation reader52 may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and saved during a previous game session.

Turning now toFIG. 2, the various components of thegaming machine10 are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU)34, also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor). To provide gaming functions, thecontroller34 executes one or more game programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, in the form ofmemory36. Thecontroller34 performs the random selection (using a random number generator (RNG)) of an outcome from the plurality of possible outcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random event may be determined at a remote controller. The remote controller may use either an RNG or pooling scheme for its central determination of a game outcome. It should be appreciated that thecontroller34 may include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor.

Thecontroller34 is also coupled to thesystem memory36 and a money/credit detector38. Thesystem memory36 may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). Thesystem memory36 may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector38 signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via thevalue input device18. Preferably, these components are located within thehousing12 of thegaming machine10. However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of thehousing12 and connected to the remainder of the components of thegaming machine10 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.

As seen inFIG. 2, thecontroller34 is also connected to, and controls, the primary display14, theplayer input device24, and apayoff mechanism40. Thepayoff mechanism40 is operable in response to instructions from thecontroller34 to award a payoff to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s). The payoff may be provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards, etc. For example, inFIG. 1, thepayoff mechanism40 includes both a ticket printer42 and acoin outlet44. However, any of a variety ofpayoff mechanisms40 well known in the art may be implemented, including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc. The payoff amounts distributed by thepayoff mechanism40 are determined by one or more pay tables stored in thesystem memory36.

Communications between thecontroller34 and both the peripheral components of thegaming machine10 andexternal systems50 occur through input/output (I/O)circuits46,48. More specifically, thecontroller34 controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of thegaming machine10 through the input/output circuits46. Further, thecontroller34 communicates with theexternal systems50 via the I/O circuits48 and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10 bT, etc.). Theexternal systems50 may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits46,48 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits46,48 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits.

Controller34, as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of thegaming machine10 that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between thegaming machine10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. Thecontroller34 may comprise one or more controllers or processors. InFIG. 2, thecontroller34 in thegaming machine10 is depicted as comprising a CPU, but thecontroller34 may alternatively comprise a CPU in combination with other components, such as the I/O circuits46,48 and thesystem memory36.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a gaming system includes a plurality ofgaming machines10a,10b, aserver60, and an optionaloverhead sign62 that is viewable by players atgaming machines10a,10b. The gaming system is used for conducting a community event, which in this case is the “Monopoly® Big Event” game (hereinafter “Big Event Game”), in which a plurality ofgaming machines10a,10bshare community-event outcomes. The community event can be, for example, a community bonus game.

The Big Event Game is initiated by an event within one of thegaming machines10a,10b. For example, the Big Event Game can be triggered when a player achieves a particular set of symbols on the basic game. In another example, the Big Event Game can be triggered at random intervals. For example, the Big Event Game can be triggered if a selected random number is within a predetermined range. The gaming machine that initiates the Big Event Game is also referred to as the “initiator” machine.

When the Big Event Game has been triggered, other ones of thegaming machines10a,10bare notified and invited to participate. If a player accepts the invitation, then the Big Event Game is initiated on his or her gaming machine and it is displayed for allowing the player to observe outcomes of the Big Event Game.

At least one of thegaming machines10a,10bincludes aBig Event Client70, abasic game72, agame environment74, agame manager76, and anRNG Service78. TheBig Event Client70 is, for example, an additional software component that is added to thesystem memory36 and that is controlled by the controller34 (FIG. 2).

Theserver60 includes a Big Event Service80 (referred to hereinafter as a Big Event Coordinator80), amultiplayer game log82, and an optionaloverhead sign manager84. TheBig Event Coordinator80 resides, and executes, on theserver60, which can also be, optionally, an overhead sign controller, a carousel controller, or a dedicated platform. In alternate embodiments, theBig Event Coordinator80 may reside and execute on one of thegaming machines10a,10b.

In operation, when the Big Event Game is triggered, theRNG Service78 within a designated or selected gaming machine, such asgaming machine10b, dictates one or more of the outcomes in the Big Event Game. As such, theBig Event Coordinator80 in theserver60 requests random outcomes, e.g., random numbers, from theRNG Service78 when the Big Event Game is being played. After receiving one or more of the random outcomes from theBig Event Client70, theBig Event Coordinator80 distributes the received random outcomes to all participating machines of thegaming machines10a,10b. In other words, theBig Event Coordinator80 provides a shared determination to participating ones of thegaming machines10a,10bbut does not determine the random outcomes.

Referring toFIG. 4, a process of triggering and playing the Big Event Game is illustrated using the twogaming machines10a,10b(referred to as gaming machine one (“GM1”) and gaming machine two (“GM2”), respectively) and theserver60 ofFIG. 3.GM1 includes theRNG Service78aand theBig Event Client70a. GM2 includes its ownBig Event Client70b. Optionally, GM2 can also include an RNG Service.

At step S100,GM1 is enabled as the initiator. For example, theBig Event Coordinator80 sends a message signal to theBig Event Client70aofGM1 to set the initiator to an “Enabled” state, e.g., the message signal can instructGM1 to “SET INITIATOR STATE ‘ENABLED’.” Then, at step S102, the enabledGM1 sends a “INITIATE REQUEST” message signal to theBig Event Coordinator80, which is a request for initiating a session of the Big Event Game. TheBig Event Coordinator80 accepts the “INITIATE REQUEST” message signal, at step S104, replying with an “INITIATE RESPONSE ‘ACCEPTED’” message signal. The session of the Big Event Game is then initiated by theBig Event Coordinator80.

Alternatively, more than one gaming machine can be enabled as an initiator. For example, if bothGM1 and GM2 are enabled as initiators, then prioritization conditions may occur when bothGM1 and GM2 attempt to initiate a session concurrently. If a session of the Big Event Game is already in progress, theBig Event Coordinator80 may deny any subsequent requests. For example, if GM2 requests the initiation of a session after a session has been initiated at the request ofGM1, the GM2 request will be denied. The request will be denied indefinitely or until a predetermined condition occurs, e.g., until the session ends. In alternative embodiments, multiple concurrent or overlapping requests may be allowed.

When the session of the Big Event Game is initiated, theBig Event Coordinator80 sends invitations to all of the connected gaming machines, i.e.,GM1 and GM2. Thus, at step S106, each one ofGM1 and GM2 receives an “INVITATION INDICATION” message signal from theBig Event Coordinator80. Each one ofGM1 and GM2 displays an invitation dialog and waits for a response from the corresponding player. Each player can choose to accept or reject the invitation.

Alternatively, the initiator is automatically included and the invitation is sent to other gaming machines. For example, in the above example an invitation is sent only to GM2 becauseGM1 is the initiator.

In this example, the player of GM2 chooses not to participate in the Big Event Game. Consequently, at step S108, the player of GM2 sends an “INVITATION REFUSE” message signal to theBig Event Coordinator80. In contrast, the player ofGM1 chooses to participate in the Big Event Game. Consequently, at step S110, the player ofGM1 sends an “INVITATION JOIN REQUEST” message signal to theBig Event Coordinator80. WhenGM1 joins the Big Event Game, it is added to a list of participating gaming machines.

Alternatively, a global time limit may be used to limit the time for receiving a late acceptance. If, for example, the player of GM2 sends an “INVITATION JOIN REQUEST” message signal after the global time limit has expired, then theBig Event Coordinator80 returns a message signal indicating that the request is denied. As an example, a timer can be displayed on at least one of a primary display14 or asecondary display16 corresponding to one or more ofGM1, GM2, andoverhead sign62 to let the player know how much time there is left.

At step S112, theBig Event Coordinator80 accepts the “INVITATION JOIN REQUEST” fromGM1 and returns an “INVITATION JOIN RESPONSE ‘ACCEPTED’” message signal to indicate acceptance ofGM1 as a participating gaming machine. In some embodiments the players ofGM1 and GM2 may place one or more side wagers for the Big Event Game. Then, at step S114, the player ofGM1 sends a “READY INDICATION” message signal, to indicate that he or she is ready to continue playing the Big Event Game. Optionally, if the player ofGM1 does not place a side wager within a predetermined time limit,GM1 closes the opportunity for placing side wagers and sends the “READY INDICATION” message signal without having received a side wager.

In the above example, participation ofGM1 is determined using a buy-in model, wherein participation is voluntary and it is decided by the player. Alternatively, in an eligibility model, a gaming machine participates in the Big Event Game after an eligibility determination has been made. Participation in the eligibility model is automatic and it is decided by the gaming machine, rather than the player. Each one of the connected gaming machines makes a determination whether the player is eligible for joining the Big Event Game. If the player is eligible, then the corresponding gaming machine sends an “INVITATION JOIN REQUEST” message signal to theBig Event Coordinator80. If the player is not eligible, then the corresponding gaming machine sends an “INVITATION REFUSE” message signal to theBig Event Coordinator80.

At this point, in the process ofFIG. 4, all of the participating gaming machines, i.e.,GM1, are ready to continue playing the Big Event Game. TheBig Event Coordinator80 requests a random number (or numbers) from theRNG Service78aofGM1. The random number, which dictates one or more of the randomly selected outcomes of the Big Event Game, is requested at step S116 using a “RNG REQ” message signal. At step S118,GM1 sends a message signal providing the requested random number, e.g., sending a “RNG RESPONSE” message signal.

If there is more than one participating gaming machine in the Big Event Game, random number generation can be provided by any of the participating gaming machines. For example, afirst gaming machine10acan provide random number generation related to the triggering of the Big Event Game (e.g., the Big Event Game is triggered if a randomly generated number is within a predetermined range) and asecond gaming machine10bcan provide random number generation related to the randomly selected outcomes within the Big Event Game. Optionally, the Big Event Game can be triggered by theBig Event Coordinator80.

In another example, afirst gaming machine10acan provide random number generation for a first outcome of the Big Event Game and asecond gaming machine10bcan provide random number generation for a second outcome of the Big Event Game. Thus, the random number generation associated with the Big Event Game can be provided by any and more than one of the participatinggaming machines10a,10b. The numbers selected during the random number generation are aggregated to encompass a plurality of outcomes for the session (e.g., the first outcome and the second outcome of the Big Event Game). The aggregation of outcomes is transmitted to the participating gaming machines. For example, if the Big Event Game is a community Monopoly® board game (FIG. 5), the first outcome can be a first roll of the dice and the second outcome can be a subsequent roll of the dice. The first roll of the dice and the second roll of the dice are aggregated and transmitted to the participating gaming machines.

Optionally, one or more of the randomly selected outcomes within the Big Event Game can have a number of sub-outcomes. For example, while playing the community Monopoly® board game, the player receives an award if an outcome of the game allows a player's game piece to move past the starting point of the game twice. To receive the award, the player will generally require a plurality of dice rolls, i.e., a plurality of sub-outcomes, to move across the board. Each dice roll requires a randomly generated number, which can be provided from any of thegaming machines10a,10b.

After the random number has been received from theRNG Service78a, theBig Event Coordinator80 sends at step S120 an “RNG INDICATION” message signal to all the participating gaming machines (which in the above example is only GM1) to share the outcome determined by theRNG Service78aofGM1. Then, at step S122 theBig Event Coordinator80 sends a “SESSIONSYNCIND (START PLAY)” message signal to all the connected gaming machines to coordinate, for example, the display and/or enactment of the shared outcome on each of theconnected gaming machines10a,10b. The shared outcome of the game (e.g., moving a game piece across the Monopoly® game-board as a function of the randomly selected outcome indicated by the dice) is displayed on one or more of a corresponding primary display14 andsecondary display16 of thegaming machines10a,10b. In addition, the shared outcome is optionally displayed on theoverhead sign62.

If thegaming machine10a,10bis a participatingmachine10ain the Big Event Game, then it will commit the player's side wagers, if appropriate. If thegaming machine10a,10bis not participating in the Big Event Game, then it may use the message signal, for example, to inhibit timed expiration of the player's current eligibility while the game is in progress.

When the Big Event Game is finished, at step S124, theBig Event Coordinator80 sends a “SESSION COMPLETE” message signal to each of the participating gaming machines. The participating gaming machines will, then, display game-related information, such as the player's winnings, and return to thebasic game72.

Referring toFIG. 5, a gaming system for conducting a Big Event community bonus game includes a plurality ofgaming machines10a-10f, aserver60, and asignage62. Thegaming machines10a-10fand thesignage62 are connected to theserver60, which is used for distributing information to and from one or more of thegaming machines10a-10f.

Thegaming machines10a-10fare arranged in a semicircular arrangement around thesignage62, and each player of any of thegaming machines10a-10fis able to observe thesignage62 for playing the bonus game. The bonus game can be played similarly to the method described above in reference toFIGS. 3 and 4.

Eachgaming machine10 includes a controller34 (FIG. 2), which includes anRNG Service78 for coordinating a basic game that is typically played locally and individually at thegaming machine10. However, one or more ofgaming machines10a-10fhas itscontroller34 and associatedRNG Service78 used for determining the outcomes of the basic game and for determining a randomly selected outcome in the community event that is shared by several of thegaming machines10a-10f. As such, at least onecontroller34 has anRNG Service78 for controlling the community-event outcome of a neighboringgaming machine10.

In an alternative embodiment, theserver60 is replaced by any one of thegaming machines10a-10f. For example, afirst gaming machine10aperforms the functions of theserver60, e.g., game coordination, and becomes amaster gaming machine10a. Thus, themaster gaming machine10aperforms the functions associated with any one of a game coordinator, a game initiator, and/or a random number source, i.e., themaster gaming machine10ais both a community-event server and a gaming machine.

In another alternative embodiment, aserver60 is coupled to amemory36 and includes data for determining a randomly selected bonus-game outcome based on a randomly selected number. Agaming machine10 includes anRNG Service78 for selecting the randomly selected number. After theserver60 receives the randomly selected number from theRNG Service78, theserver60 determines the randomly selected bonus-game outcome that corresponds to the randomly selected number. For example, theserver60 includes a look-up table that associates a plurality of randomly selected bonus-game outcomes corresponding to a plurality of randomly selected numbers. When a randomly selected number is sent by theRNG Service78, theserver60 matches the selected number to the corresponding outcome. Alternatively, theRNG Service78 determines both the randomly selected number and its associated randomly selected bonus-game outcome. In this embodiment, as opposed to only the randomly selected number being transmitted to theserver60, only the bonus-game outcome is transmitted to theserver60.

The functions of triggering a session of the community event, sharing information related to the community event, and determining outcomes of the community event can vary dynamically and/or randomly over time among the plurality ofgaming machines10a-10fand, optionally, theserver60. For example, the initiator machine that triggers a session of the community event can vary from one session of the community event to another session of the community event. As such, assuming that in a first session of the community event the initiator machine is thefirst gaming machine10a, in a second session of the community event the initiator machine can be thefirst gaming machine10a, thesecond gaming machine10b, or theserver60. The type of triggering can be an outcome achieved during the wagering game, or it can be a random event unrelated to the wagering games being played at thegaming machines10a-10f(e.g., selection of a random number within a predetermined range).

Information related to the community event (e.g., triggering of the game, sub-outcomes within the event, outcomes of the event, etc.) can be shared directly among the plurality ofgaming machines10a-10f, or can be shared indirectly via one of thegaming machines10a-10for theserver60. For example, in a first session of the community event the information is shared directly from thefirst gaming machine10ato thesecond gaming machine10b. In a second session of the community event, the information is shared indirectly from thefirst gaming machine10ato thesecond gaming machine10bvia thethird gaming machine10c. Optionally, the information can be shared via theserver60.

Determination of outcomes of the community event can vary from one session of the community event to another session of the community event among the plurality ofgaming machines10a-10f. For example, a first outcome of the community event is determined by thefirst gaming machine10ain a first session of the community event, a second outcome of the community event is determined by thesecond gaming machine10bin a second session of the community event, and so on.

While the figures describe the same type of gaming machines within the system, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, at least two of thegaming machines10a-10fplay a different type of wagering game, although they participate in the same community event. For example, each player of afirst gaming machine10aand asecond gaming machine10bplay, individually, a different local slots game, but play the Big Event Game when triggered.

Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims (24)

What is claimed is:

1. A gaming system for playing a community event in which a plurality of player terminals may be eligible to participate, the plurality of player terminals playing respective underlying wagering games when the community event is not in session, the system comprising:

community-event clients included in respective different player terminals of the plurality of player terminals and operative to randomly determine respective community-event outcomes in a same session of the community event; and

a community-event coordinator distinct from the community-event client and operative to

receive the community-event outcomes from the respective community-event clients, and

aggregate the received community-event outcomes and share the aggregated community-event outcomes with participating ones of the plurality of player terminals.

2. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the community-event clients is operative to initiate the session.

3. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the community-event coordinator is included in one of the plurality of player terminals.

4. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the community-event coordinator is included in a server physically separate from the plurality of player terminals.

5. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein in response to initiation of the session, the community-event coordinator is operative to send invitations to at least two of the plurality of player terminals for participating in the session.

6. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the community-event coordinator's operation of sharing the community-event outcomes varies dynamically or randomly over time among the plurality of player terminals and optionally a server.

7. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the different player terminals vary dynamically or randomly among the plurality of player terminals from one session to the next of the community event.

8. A gaming system for playing a community event in which a plurality of player terminals may be eligible to participate, the plurality of player terminals playing respective underlying wagering games when the community event is not in session, the system comprising:

first and second community-event clients included in respective different player terminals of the plurality of player terminals, the first community-event client being operative to randomly determine a first community-event outcome in a first session of the community event, the second community-event client, but not the first community-event client, being operative to randomly determine a second community-event outcome in a second session of the community event, the second session being distinct from the first session; and

a community-event coordinator distinct from the first and second community-event clients and operative to

receive the first community-event outcome from the first community-event client and share the first community-event outcome with the player terminals participating in the first session, and

receive the second community-event outcome from the second community-event client and share the second community-event outcome with the player terminals participating in the second session.

9. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein the first community-event client is operative to initiate the first session and the second community-event client is operative to initiate the second session.

10. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein the community-event coordinator is included in one of the plurality of player terminals.

11. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein the community-event coordinator is included in a server physically separate from the plurality of player terminals.

12. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein in response to initiation of at least one of the first session and the second session, the community-event coordinator is operative to send invitations to at least two of the plurality of player terminals for participating in the respective session.

13. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein the community-event coordinator's operation of sharing the first and second community-event outcomes varies dynamically or randomly over time among the plurality of player terminals and optionally a server.

14. The gaming system ofclaim 8, wherein the different player terminals vary dynamically or randomly among the plurality of player terminals from an initial session to a next session of the first and second community-event outcomes.

15. A method for playing a community event in which a plurality of player terminals may be eligible to participate, the plurality of player terminals playing respective underlying wagering games when the community event is not in session, the method comprising:

providing community-event clients included in respective different player terminals of the plurality of player terminals;

randomly determining, by the community-event clients, respective community-event outcomes in a same session of the community event;

receiving the community-event outcomes from the respective community-event clients by a community-event coordinator that is distinct from the community-event clients;

aggregating the received community-event outcomes by the community-event coordinator; and

sharing the received community-event outcomes by the community-event coordinator with participating ones of the plurality of player terminals.

16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising initiating the session by one of the community-event clients.

17. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising, in response to initiation of the session, sending invitations by the community-event coordinator to at least two of the plurality of player terminals for participating in the session.

18. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising varying dynamically or randomly over time among the plurality of player terminals and optionally a server the community-event coordinator's operation of sharing the community-event outcomes.

19. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising varying dynamically or randomly the different player terminals among the plurality of player terminals from one session to the next of the community event.

20. A method for playing a community event in which a plurality of player terminals may be eligible to participate, the plurality of player terminals playing respective underlying wagering games when the community event is not in session, the method comprising:

providing first and second community-event clients included in respective different player terminals of the plurality of player terminals;

randomly determining, by the first community-event client, a first community-event outcome in a first session of the community event;

randomly determining, by the second community-event client, but not the first community-event client, a second community-event outcome in a second session of the community event, the second session being distinct from the first session;

receiving the first community-event outcome from the first community-event client by a community-event coordinator that is distinct from the first and second community-event clients;

sharing the first community-event outcome by the community-event coordinator with the player terminals participating in the first session;

receiving the second community-event outcome from the second community-event client by the community-event coordinator; and

sharing the second community-event outcome by the community-event coordinator with the player terminals participating in the second session.

21. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising initiating the first session by the first community-event client and initiating the second session by the second community-event client.

22. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising, in response to initiation of at least one of the first and second sessions, sending invitations by the community-event coordinator to at least two of the plurality of player terminals for participating in the respective session.

23. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising varying dynamically or randomly over time among the plurality of player terminals and optionally a server the community-event coordinator's operation of sharing the first and second community-event outcomes.

24. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising varying dynamically or randomly the different player terminals among the plurality of player terminals from one session to the next of the first and second community-event outcomes.

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